“Nevertheless,” Richard said. Releasing Mary’s hand, he brought his arm around her shoulders instead—an intimate gesture of comfort that was terribly inappropriate, but much appreciated by Mary. “You are not the only one who knows about this. Rotridge does as well.”
“The news just seems to be getting worse and worse,” Lady Foxworth murmured.
“And since he has chosen to tell you about Mary’s association with me, I believe it is only a matter of time before he uses his knowledge about Mary’s career at the opera in an effort to ruin her socially.”
“To what avail?” Lady Foxworth asked. “Because she does not wish to welcome his advances?”
“Partly,” Mary said. “He claims that he is accustomed to getting what he wants and, not only did I tell him that he can never have me, but his efforts at forcing my hand were also repeatedly diverted. I believe he feels humiliated and that he blames me for that. Rotridge wants revenge, and he now has the perfect means by which to get it.”
“Then we must aim to stop him at all cost.” Righting herself on the sofa, Lady Foxworth served Richard a candid stare.
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I like the way you think.”
“Do you have a plan?” Mary asked, eager to know how to proceed but also worried about what might happen.
“Nothing concrete—not until I know how Rotridge intends to act. Right now, his power over you has been somewhat diminished since you have told your aunt about Lucia Cavalani. But he might still try to convince others that you and she are one and the same.” Rising. Richard paced back and forth a moment before coming to a halt. “I think the best bet is to deny everything.”
“Of course it is,” Lady Foxworth agreed, to Mary’s amazement. “If any questions are asked, I will vouch for Mary. Indeed, I will tell everyone that she has spent her evenings at home and that I have personally seen her do so.”
Mary gaped. “You would lie for me?”
“Of course I would,” Lady Foxworth said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “You are my niece, after all, and I am duty bound to protect you.”
“I scarcely know what to say.” Her aunt’s generosity made her feel even worse, so she did the only thing that she could think of doing in order to make things right again between them, even though she knew that it wouldn’t be nearly enough. Rising, Mary crossed to where her aunt was sitting, leaned down and placed a kiss upon her cheek. “Thank you.”
Lady Foxworth managed a wobbly smile. Her eyes shimmered a little. “Think nothing of it,” she said as she too got to her feet with a bit of a shrug and a nonchalant hand gesture. “Let’s just hope that it works so that we may be rid of that pestering Rotridge for good.”
Mary couldn’t agree more as she accepted the arm that Richard offered and allowed him to escort her from the room.
“I cannot possibly thank you enough,” Mary said as she and Richard made their way down a long hallway shortly after. “It cannot be easy for you to remove the mask and show your face after all this time.”
“No, it is not,” he agreed, noting the Duke of Pinehurst’s startled expression as they passed him, “but it is necessary, not only if we are to save your reputation but if we are to be together. I cannot continue courting you in secret.”
“Although you must admit that our midnight rendezvous have been terribly romantic.”
Chuckling lightly, he tightened his hold on her arm. “There is no denying that.”
A shrill squeal drew Richard’s attention away from Mary, his feet almost taking a step back at the sight of a woman sprinting toward him. He recognized her instantly as his youngest sister, Fiona. “Richard!” His name was joyfully spoken as she flung her arms around his neck, detaching him from Mary who produced a stunned squeak. “I cannot believe that it is really you.”
“And I cannot believe that you would so easily recognize me after all these years.”
“Are you mad?” Pulling back she assessed him carefully from head to toe. “You look exactly the same as when I last saw you.”
He couldn’t help but frown in response to that obvious lie. “Except for this,” he said.
She peered up at him, almost squinting. “If that has been your only reason for hiding away in your bedchamber, I just might throttle you.” She crossed her arms. “And I am bigger now, in case you have not noticed.”
At his right, he heard Mary choke back a laugh. “So you are,” he agreed, pressing his lips together.
“I am serious,” Fiona said. “With all the fuss about you not wanting to see us, I rather expected you to have turned into a troll or some other terrifying creature.” Pouting in much the same way as she’d done when she was little and was being denied a sweet, she added, “I find that I am rather disappointed by how handsome you still are.”
Richard straightened. “Now you exaggerate.”
“Not at all,” Fiona said.
“I agree with her,” Mary said. Her lips pulled slightly at the corners, dimpling her cheeks in an almost mischievous way. “Indeed, I find you to be the most handsome of men.”
Fiona frowned. She took a step back, her eyes darting between them. “Wait a moment...” Her head tilted and it clearly seemed as though she was trying to work out a puzzle. “How are the two of you acquainted with each other? I mean, if my brother has just chosen to venture back into public, I find it odd that he would do so with a perfect stranger by his side. Unless of course, you have known each other for some time, in which case”—she shook her head—“I do not understand this.”
